Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia gained his maiden MotoGP world championship on the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday after Fabio Quartararo didn’t overhaul him within the standings.
Defending champion Quartararo was 23 factors behind Bagnaia going into the ultimate race. The Yamaha rider wanted nothing lower than a victory to leapfrog the Italian however completed fourth in a race gained by Suzuki’s Alex Rins.
Despite an early collision, Bagnaia completed ninth, sufficient to retain his lead within the championship and provides Ducati their first title since Casey Stoner gained it in 2007, ending 15 years of dominance by Japanese producers.
“The hardest race of my life! My mission was to be in the top five … but I started to struggle after three-four laps, the front of my bike was impossible to control,” Bagnaia mentioned.
“But the most important thing is we won… we are world champions. It’s a really great day.”
His title marked the best comeback in MotoGP historical past as he was 91 factors down halfway via the season and it ended a 50-year watch for an Italian rider to win the championship on an Italian bike after the nice Giacomo Agostini.
He additionally grew to become the primary Italian to win the MotoGP title since Valentino Rossi was final topped champion in 2009 with Yamaha.
Bagnaia celebrated by waving the Italian flag as Ducati introduced him with a golden helmet, the visibly emotional 25-year-old taking a second to compose himself earlier than elevating it within the air in celebration.
Perfect begin
Rins had the right begin to take the lead from pole sitter Jorge Martin into flip one whereas Quartararo’s title hopes slipped via his grasp as Bagnaia moved up the grid from eighth to battle the Yamaha rider for fifth.
The two title contenders had been concerned in an intense, no-holds-barred battle early on and even collided whereas jostling for the place which resulted in injury to the entrance of Bagnaia’s bike.
Bagnaia appeared to be struggling after the collision and determined to hold again and keep away from any danger, realizing he can be topped champion so long as he completed within the prime 14 even when Quartararo gained the race.
Honda’s Marc Marquez began second on the grid and seemed set for a podium however crashed on flip eight with 18 laps to go, ending Honda’s season after teammate Pol Espargaro crashed earlier.
Bagnaia’s teammate Jack Miller battled for third place in his remaining race for Ducati however the Australian misplaced his grip to crash out quickly after conceding his place to KTM’s Brad Binder, who additionally overtook Martin to maneuver as much as second.
But there was no stopping Rins who took the chequered flag in his remaining race for Suzuki because the Japanese workforce, which is being disbanded, signed off from MotoGP with a victory.
“Amazing win, finishing the season with Suzuki leaving – we cannot finish better,” Rins mentioned.
